Can USC make a bowl game?

As USC begins the Ed Orgeron era against Arizona this week, perhaps the biggest question facing the Trojans is whether they can make a bowl game?

USC (3-2) needs seven victories to qualify for a bowl. That means the Trojans must split their final eight games. It might sound easy but the schedule might prove daunting.

The Trojans figure to win road games at California and Colorado. They also should be favored against Utah at the Coliseum. Things get trickier after that. USC will be an underdog at home against Stanford and UCLA. And the Oregon State road game has been a real challenge over the past 10 years.

This leaves two games: Notre Dame in South Bend and Arizona at the Coliseum. USC needs to win at least one of those games. The Trojans should be a slight favorite against the Wildcats and a slight underdog at Notre Dame.

College football analyst Jerry Palm currently projects USC to play in the New Mexico Bowl against San Jose State.

The reality is many USC fans would be bitterly disappointed if the Trojans play in a bowl like the New Mexico Bowl. Last year, fans were unhappy USC played in the Sun Bowl.

Maybe the fans would be a little more forgiving because Lane Kiffin was fired and will be blamed for the current predicament. The energy of Orgeron also could give USC a boost.

"There’s no one else like him," quarterback Cody Kessler said of Orgeron.

Orgeron believes USC will respond to last week’s events.

“I think they’re ready for a fresh start and they’re going to do well,” he said. “I’ve been through adverse circumstances before.”

Orgeron limitations

One position Orgeron said he will not try to coach is the wide receivers.